how long-term rates are related to the current short-term rate and short-term forward rateswhy forward rates should be viewed as hedgeable ratesthe various theories about the determinants of the shape of the term structure: pure expectations theory, the liquidity theory, the preferred habitat theory, and the market segmentation theorythe main economic influences on the shape of the Treasury yield curvewhat the swap curve/LIBOR curve is and why it is used as an interest rate benchmark